Package means for container means



Aug. 19,-1969 n. c. MOORE PACKAGE MEANS FOR. CONTAINER MEANS 3Sheets-Sheetl Filed March 7, 1967 INVENTOR. DONALD c. MOORE ms ATTORNEYSg- 1959 o. c. MOORE 3,462,009 I PACKAGE MEANS FOR CONTAINER MEANS FiledNarh 7, 1967 I 5 Sheets-Shut 2 v. f A v 25 24 32 24 INVENTOR. DONALD c.MOORE HIS ATTORNEYS Aug. 19,1 969 o. c. MOORE 3 6 ,0 I

PACKAGE MEANS FOR CONTAINER MEANS Filed March 'i, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. DONALD C. MOORE ms ATTORNEY$ United States Patent 3,462,009PACKAGE MEANS FOR CONTAINER MEANS Donald C. Moore, Richmond, Va.,assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va.-, a corporation ofDelaware Filed Mar. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 621,254 Int. Cl. B65d 85/62 15Claims US. Cl. 206-65 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relatesto packaging and more particularly to improved package means forcontainer means and a method of packaging such container means.

Many products are sold in packages containing a plurality of individualcontainers such as cans, for example, wherein it is desirable to packagesuch cans in a package which is easy to transport, store, and carry yetwhich is inexpensive to provide.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide improvedpackage means for a plurality of individual containers which is ofsimple and economical construction and which enables such containers tobe easily transported and handled.

Another feature of this invention is to provide package means for aplurality of individual containers having yieldable rod-like meansarranged between and substantially transverse to the central axes ofsuch containers and including overwrapping means for overwrapping suchcontainers to compress and'pa'rtially yieldingly deform such yieldablerod-like means between exterior side surface means of such containers toprevent relative movement therebetween. v

Another feature of this invention is to provide a package for aplurality; of substantially cylindrical cans which utilizes yieldablerod-like'meansof the "character mentioned and wherein such yieldablerod-dike" means also defines handle means for such package,

Another feature'of this invention "is to "provide'an improved method ofpackaging container "means in an economical manner. 7

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method ofpackaging container means which utilizes comparatively small amounts-ofpackaging materials. a

-Another feature. of this invention is to provide: an improved method ofpackaging-cylindrical cans which utilizes yieldable rod-like meansarranged substantially transverse to the central axes ,of. such cans,. to. provide yieldable spacing means betweensuch cans to thereby preventchime ride between cans arranged immediately adjacent each other. A, v v

Another feature of this invention is to providean improved method of thecharacter mentioned wherein such yieldable rod-like spacing means alsodefines integral handle means for the resulting package construction.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to' provide improvedpackage means for container means and an 3,462,009 Patented Aug. 19,1969 "ice improved method of packaging such container means having oneor more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above orhereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent froma reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating one exemplary embodiment ofpackage means of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner ofcarrying the package means of FIGURE 1 using integral handle meansprovided therein.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation illustrating a plurality of two packagemeans identical to the package means of FIGURE 1 arranged in side byside relation and particularly illustrating the manner of nesting theintegral handle means of one package means within the adjoining packagemeans without lost space therebetween.

FIGURE 6 is a view on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodimentof package means of this invention.

FIGURE 8 is a side view illustrating another exemplary embodiment ofpackage means of this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of carrying thepackage means of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of package means of this invention.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view on the line 1111 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one example ofelongated tubular stock material which may be used to make yieldablerod-like means used in the various embodiments of package means of theinvention.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another exampleof elongated stock material, of solid cross-sectional configuration,which may also be used to make yieldable rod-like means used in thevarious embodiments of package means of this invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating another exemplary embodiment ofpackage means ofthis invention.

While the variousfeatures of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described asbeing particularly adaptable for providing improvedpackage means for container means such as cylindrical cans containingfood products, such as beverages, for example, and to an improved methodof packaging such cans, it is to be understood that the various featuresof this invention can be utilized singly OI'ziD. any combination thereofto provide improved package means for and an improved method ofpackaging container means containing other products, as desired. 7 a

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate examples-of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustratedin FIGURES 1-6,an improved package means shown as a package 20 containing a pluralityof six container means or cans each designated generally by the numeral21. Cans 21 of this example are arranged in a plurality of two rowshaving three cans in each row. Cans 21 are overwrapped bysuitableoverwrap means shown in this example as a plastic overwrap designatedgenerally by the numeral 22.

Each can 21 of this exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown as aright circular cylindrical can having a cylindrical side wall 23 and apair of end closures each designated by the numeral 24. Each exemplarycan 21 also has a chime-like end means or a chime end 25 defining theperipheral edge of each end closure 24.

Yieldable rod-like means shown as a yieldable member 26 is arrangedbetween adjacent side surface means, i.e. adjacent cylindrical surfaces23, of cans 21 so that yieldable member 26 extends substantiallytransverse to the central axes of cylindrical cans 21. In the exemplaryillustration of FIGURE 1, cans 21 are shown arranged in parallelrelation with their central axes extending substantially vertically andyieldable member 26 is arranged with its main portion substantiallyhorizontally between cans 21.

Yieldable member 26 is placed between the two rows of cylindrical cans21 so that the cylindrical surface 23 of each can engages a portionthereof. Plastic overwrap 22 is overwrapped around cans 21 and yieldablemember 26 in such a manner that member 26 is compressed betweencooperating portions of cylindrical surfaces 23 of each pair of side byside cans to form flattened yieldable surface means designated by thenumeral 27.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, flattenedyieldable surface means 27 is defined in member 26 at each locationwhere a pair of side by side cans are compressed thereagainst and theresulting construction assures that cans 21 will not move relative tomember 26 and hence relative to each other during transportation andhandling of package 20 thereby preventing chime ride between adjoiningcans while making each package easier to handle. In addition, theclamping action provided by overwrap 22 urging cans 21 tightly againstmember 26 assures that upon grasping a portion of yieldable member 26,essentially as illustrated in FIGURE 2, such yieldable member remainsfirmly clamped enabling it to be used as a carrying handle enabling thesix cans 21 to be carried in suspended relation.

Yieldable member 26 of this exemplary embodiment of the inventioncomprises a substantially U-shaped member having a pair of outwardlyextending legs each designated by the numeral 31 and a base portionextending therebetween and designated by the numeral 32. The outwardlyextending legs 31 are arranged substantially in parallel relation andeach leg is arranged immediately inwardly of an associated chime end 25of each cylindrical can 21.

Base portion 32 of yieldable member 26 is arranged so that it extendsoutwardly beyond peripheral surface means of cylindrical cans 21immediately adjacent thereto and a space is provided as illustrated at34 between leg portion 32 and the immediately adjacent end cans 21.Space 34 enables one to insert his fingers or hand therethrough for easycarrying of package 20 in suspended relation essentially as illustratedin FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

As previously mentioned, the overwra-p means 22 is preferably made of aplastic material and in this example of the invention such plasticmaterial is preferably a heat-shrinkable transparent material.Heat-shrinkable transparent plastic 22 is heat shrunk around cylindricalcans 21 after placing yieldable member 26 in position to thereby urgecylindrical cans 21 toward each other and compress yieldable member 26between adjacent cylindrical surfaces 23 of cans 21 arranged oppositeeach other on opposite sides of member 26 as previously described. Thisurging-compressing action is created by contraction of the plasticmaterial 22 and is achieved in a known manner using any suitable plasticmaterial.

The heat-shrinkable plastic overwrapping material 22 may be wrappedaround cylindrical cans 21 with yieldable member 26 in position in anyknown manner prior to heat shrinking thereof. However, plastic overwrap22 is initially preferably of tubular construction having open ends andcylindrical cans 21 with yieldable member 26 in position are simplyplaced therewithin and the entire package is then subjected to acontrolled temperature environment to provide the package constructionillustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

Yieldable member 26 is quite flexible and easily bent yet without losingits resilient characteristics in a direction substantially transverse toits elongated axis. Thus, as seen in FIGURES 5 and 6 it is a simplematter to arrange a plurality of packages (two in this example)endto-end and merely to deform each handle portion 32 into the availablespace at the end of an associated adjoining package without lost spacebetween adjoining packages. This feature makes it possible to easilystack a plurality of packages 20 for transportation and storage withmaximum utilization of space yet without damage to yieldable member 26and specifically to its handle portion.

Yieldable member 26 comprising package 20 is shown as a tubular memberof substantially rectangular peripheral outline; however, it will beappreciated that such member may be of any suitable configuration aswill be explained in more detail later in this disclosure.

Another exemplary embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGURE7 of the drawings. the package construction or package illustrated inFIGURE 7 is quite similar to package 20; therefore, such latter packagewill be designated by the numeral 20A and corresponding component partsthereof will be designated by the same numeral as package 20 alsofollowed by the letter designation A and not described again. The onlypart of package 20A which is basically different from package 20 is theyieldable member provided therein and such yieldable member will bedesignated generally by the numeral 35A and described in detail.

Member 35A is arranged between adjacent cylindrical surfaces 23A ofoppositely arranged cans 21A so that it extends in a substantiallycontinuous oval loop. Thus, member 35A has a pair of substantiallydiametrically opposed integral portions each designated by the numeral36A which are arranged substantially transverse, perpendicular in thisexample, to the central axes of cylindrical cans 21A.

Member 35A also has another pair of diametrically opposed integralportions each designated by the numeral 37A which extends outwardlybeyond peripheral surface means or the outer peripheral surfaces of endcans 21A. Each portion 37A extends outwardly sufiiciently so that aspace is provided at 40A between the cylindrical side surfaces 23A ofassociated end cans 21A and end portion 37A to define handle meansenabling the entire package 20A to be grasped by inserting a finger, orthe like, through the space 40A and carrying package 20A in suspendedrelation by the handle means defined by end portions 27A.

While in this exemplary embodiment each end portion 37A extendssufiiciently beyond its associated end of package 20A to define a handlefor package 20A at each end thereof, it will be appreciated that theoval-shaped member 35A may be arranged so that handle means is providedonly at one end. Further, both end portions 37A may be arranged withinthe peripheral outlines of associated end cans so that oval member 35Aprovides its spacing function to provide the improved package means ofthis invention and the resulting package may be carried in any suitablemanner, for example, as shown in FIG- URE 9.

The substantially diametrically opposed portions 36A extend along thecylindrical side surfaces of associated cylindrical cans 21A and arearranged immediatel inwardly of associated chime ends 25A. Thus,yieldable spacing is provided at opposite ends of each can 21A inessentially the same manner as described in connection with the U-shapedyieldable member 26 comprising package construction 20. I

Members 26 and 35A-are both made of any suitable yieldable rod-likemeans and provide the identical spacing function. The basic dilferencebetween members 26 and 35A is that member 26 is arranged in asubstantially U-shaped pattern between associated cans 21 while member35A is arranged in a substantially oval-shaped pattern between itsassociated cans 21A.

Another exemplary embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES8 and 9 of the drawings. The package illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9 isquite similar to the package 20 previously illustrated and described andtherefore such package will be designated by the numeral 20B and similarcomponent parts thereof will be designated by the same numeral as inpackage 20 and also followed by the letter designation B.

Basically, the only difference between package 20 and package 20B isthat yieldable member 26B of package 203 is arranged so that its baseportion 32B is within the outer outline of cylindrical side walls 23B ofassociated end cans 21B. Thus, transverse leg portion 32B of U- shapedmember 26B is not usable as handle means. Nevertheless, yieldablespacing is still provided by member 263 in the same manner as describedin connection with member 26 of package 20. v

Package 20B may be carried essentially as illustrated in FIGURE 9 of thedrawings by using one hand as shown to grasp thereacross. The embodimentillustrated in FIG- URES 8 and 9 is preferably used with cylindricalcans 20B of comparatively small diameter to enable the simple graspingannd carrying in the manner illustrated.

Another exemplary embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES10-12 of the drawings. The package means or package of FIGURES l0-12 issimilar to package therefore, such latter package will be designated bythe numeral 20C and parts thereof which are similar to correspondingparts of package 20 will be designated by the same numeral as previouslyalso followed by the letter designation C. Basically, the onlydifference between package 20C and package 20 is in the construction andarrangement of the yielable rod-like means provided between the rows ofparallel cans.

Package 20C utilizes an elongated substantially straight rod-like memberdesignated by the numeral 400 between the pair of parallel rows ofcylindrical cans 21C. Yieldable rod-like member 40C of this exemplaryembodiment of the invention is preferably of circular cross-sectionaloutline and preferably solid in cross secion.

Elongated member 40C is arranged transverse, i.e. substantiallyperpendicular, to the axes of cylindrical cans 21C. Member 40C also hasintegral handle means designated by the numeral 42C defining terminalend means thereof to enable package 20C and hence cylindrical cans 21Cto be carried by handle 42C in suspended relation.

Handle 42C in this exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustratedas being provided at one end of elongated straight member 40C and has anopening therein designated by the numeral at 43C which enables one toinsert a hand or grasping fingers therethrough to suspend package 20Cessentially as illustrated in FIGURE l2.and enable easy carryingthereof. Although the elongated straight member 40C of this exemplaryembodiment of the invention has handle 42C provided at one end thereof,it will be appreciated that such handle 42C may be provided at bothends, if desired.

In much the same manner as described in connection with the previousembodiments of this invention, cylindrical cans 21C are arranged in twoparallel rows of three cans in each row and elongated yieldable member400 is suitably placed therebetween. Cans 21C and yieldable member 40Care then overwrapped with heat-shrinkable plastic-material 22C and theentire assembly is subjected to a controlled heat environment, forexample, as provided by a suitable heating oven to thereby heat shrinkplastic 22C in position to define the package 20C shown in FIGURE 10.

The shrunk plastic material 22C urges the cylindrical side surfaces 230of cans 21C against yieldable member 40C essentially as illustrated at44C in FIGURES 11 and 12 to define an oval configuration. Thus, it isseen that the previously circular cross-sectional configuration ofmember 40C is flattened to form an elongated oval configuration at threespaced apart locations therealong as determined by three associatedpairs of cans 210.

In the same manner as discussed in connection with previous embodimentsof this invention, the yieldable resilient nature of member 40C togetherwith the force exerted by heat shrimk plastic film 22C assures thatmember 40C is firmly held in position enabling package 200 to besuspended for carrying using the handle portion 42C of member 40C.Further, member 40C provides adequate spacing between immediatelyadjacent cans 21C to prevent relative movement therebetween and henceprevent the chime ends 25C of immediately adjacent cans from riding oneon top of the other.

Exemplary package 20C of FIGURES 10-12 is shown utilizing a singleelongated member 40C having integral handle means 42C provided at oneend thereof. However, it is to be understood that a plurality ofelongated straight yieldable members each designated by the numeral 48Cand shown in FIGURE 15 may be used in lieu of a single member. Further,one or more of such plurality of straight members may have handle meansprovided at one or both ends thereof. In those applications where one ormore straight rod-like members 48C are utilized they are preferablyarranged in essentially parallel relation with a pair of such straightmembers being arranged immediately adjacent chime end means at each endof each cylindrical can 21C.

Each yieldable rod-like member used in each exemplary package of thisdisclosure is generally an elongated slender member of comparativelysmall cross-sectional area. As presented above each yieldable member maybe arranged to define a substantially U-shaped configuration, anoval-shaped configuration, or may be arranged essentially in arectilinear path. Also, each yieldable member may have a cross-sectionalconfiguration which is either solid or annular and each yieldable memberof either solid or annular configuration may have a peripheral outlinewhich is either circular or non-circular such as elliptical,rectangular, etc.

By way of example, FIGURE 13 illustrates a section of tubular stockdesignated generally by the numeral 45 which is of tubular constmctionand substantially rectangular, i.e. square in this instance, peripheraloutline. As previously indicated, member 45 may be suitably arranged todefine substantially U-shaped members 26 and 26B, a substantiallyover-shaped member 35A, or straight members 400 and 48C.

Again by way of example, FIGURE 14 illustrates a section of elongatedstock material which is of solid cross section and circular peripheraloutline and such stock material is designated generally by the numeral47. Stock 47 may be formed in any suitable manner to define yieldablemembers 26, 26B, 35A, 400, and 48C.

Thus, it is seen that the novel features of this invention are providedin the various package constructions irrespective of whether theelongated yieldable members are of solid or tubular construction.Further, the unique action is provided by each yieldable memberirrespective of its peripheral cross-sectional outline. Accordingly, andrepeating for emphasis,'the configurations presented in FIGURES 13 and14 are presented merely to show examples of the many constructionscapable of being used to define the yieldable members of this invention.

Each yieldable member of this disclosure may be formed in its particularillustrated configuration by any suitable manufacturing method. Forexample, such yieldable members may be made of plastic-like materials bymolding, or the like.

Reference is made above to the making of members 26, 26B, 35A, 400, and48C of plastic-like materials, by way of example; however, it is to beunderstood that such members may be made of any suitable materialincluding but not being limited to plastic, rubber-like material,yieldable paper constructions, any gasket-like material, and generallyany yieldable material which can be made in rod-like form and shaped inthe kinds of configurations illustrated.

Irrespective of the particular material which is used to form theyieldable rod-like means of this invention it is preferred that thematerial construction of each yieldable member is such that it isresiliently compressible transverse to its elongated axis yetcomparatively stable in dimension in a direction substantially along itscentral axis once such yieldable member is installed between anassociated pair of parallel rows of cans. This preferred featureassures, for example, that the cylindrical cans in each row will not beurged together so as to cause chime ride therebetween. Thus, portions 31of member 26, 31B of member 26B, 36A of member 35A, and members 40C and48C (which are all arranged substantially transverse to the axes oftheir associated cans) assure that chime ride between cans in eachassociated row on each side of a given yieldable member is not possible.

As illustrated particularly in FIGURES 3 and 12, each cylindrical sidewall of each can is urged into an adjoining portion of an associatedyieldable member to form a concave impression. Although such impressionis exaggerated in the drawings, it still exists to a certain degree andthe concave surface provided together with the substantially resilientcharacter of each associated yieldable member further assures that uponsuspending each package essentially from its associated yieldable membersuch package may be carried without likelihood of coming apart.

Thus, it is seen that each examplary package means 20, A, 20B, and 20Cof this invention is of simple and economical construction, is providedwith a minimum amount of packaging material, requires only twostructural units to hold its associated cans together, and is easilyprovided without requiring special equipment. This, in effect, resultsin the provision of package means and a method of making package meanswhich adds minimal cost to the product being sold.

The overwrap means shown in the various exemplary embodiments of thisinvention is shown as a transparent plastic overwrap made of aheat-shrinkable material. However, it is to be understood that suchoverwrap means may be made of any suitable material whether plastic ornot and the only action that is required by such overwrap means is thatthe oppositely arranged cans or container means be urged toward eachother so as to compress the yieldable member therebetween essentially inthe manner illustrated and described previously.

Each exemplary embodiment of this invention presented above illustratesa plurality of six cylindrical container means or cans in eachparticular package construction; however, it will be appreciated thatany desired number of cans may be suitably packaged in accordance withthe teachings of this invention. Thus, a plurality of more than twoparallel rows of cylindrical cans may be suitably arranged withyieldable rod-like means between each immediately adjacent pair ofparallel rows to provide the simple and economical construction affordedby package means of this invention.

The utilization of yieldable members such as members 26, 26B, A, C, and48C enables placing such member between associated parallel rows ofcylindrical cans without special concern for the exact placement of theparticular elongated yieldable member. Thus, each yieldable member ineach exemplary embodiment may be merely placed substantially transverseto the axes of the various cans involved and upon overwrapping theparticular associated cans in any suitable manner, as by 8 heatshrinking a plastic material therearound, an improved economical packageconstruction is provided wherein chime ride between adjoining cans isprevented. The thickness of each yieldable rod-like member perpendicularto its elongated axis and between each pair of parallel rows of cans isdetermined in each instance by the particular container means, such ascans, being overwrapped. For example, in the case of cans having chimeend means at one or both ends, such material would be substantiallyequal to (i.e. slightly thicker) than the radial thickness of such chimeend means.

Terms such as ends, side wall, inwardly, transverse, vertically,horizontally, and the like, have been used in this disclosure of theinvention merely for ease of description and to correspond to thearrangement of the various component parts as illustrated in thedrawings, and such terms should not be considered as limiting the scopeof this invention in any way.

Thus, it is seen that an improved package means has been provided bythis invention which is of simple and economical construction.

Further, this invention provides an improved method of packagingcontainer means such as cylindrical cans, or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by statute, other form may be used, all coming within the scopeof the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: a plurality of containers arranged with their centralaxes in parallel relation with each container having side surface meansand package means for said containers, said package means comprising,resiliently yieldable rod-like means arranged between adjacent sidesurface means of said containers and substantially transverse to saidcentral axes, and overwrap means for overwrapping said containers, saidoverwrap means yieldingly urging a side surface means of each containeragainst said rod-like means to define an associated substantiallyconcave resiliently yieldable surface means therein, said concaveresiliently yieldable surface means holding said containers in spacedrelation including in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis ofsaid rod-like means and preventing relative movement between saidcontainers and said rod-like means during transportation and handling ofsaid containers.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said plurality ofcontainers comprises a plurality of substantially right circularcylindrical cans having chime end means and said rod-like means inaddition to holding said cans in spaced relation and preventing relativemovement between said cans and said rod-like means also prevents chimeride between said plurality of cans.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said plurality ofcontainers comprises a plurality of parallel rows of containers and saidrod-like means comprises rod-like means arranged between eachimmediately adjacent pair of parallel rows.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said rod-like meanscomprises an elongated substantially straight member.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said straight memberhas integral handle means defining terminal end means thereof to enablesaid container to be carried in suspended relation by said handle means.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said rod-like meanscomprises a plurality of elongated substantially straight membersarranged in spaced relation and providing a plurality of concaveresiliently yieldable surface means engaging each container.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said rod-like meanscomprises a substantially U-shaped member having its outwardly extendinglegs arranged substantially transverse to said central axes, saidoutwardly extending legs providin a pair of spaced con- 9 caveresiliently yieldable surface means engaging each container.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said U-shaped memberis arranged with its base portion extending outwardly from peripheralsurface means of containers adjacent thereto to define handle meansenabling said containers to be carried in suspended relation thereby.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said rod-like meansis formed to define an oval-shaped member and arranged between saidadjacent side surface means, said oval-shaped member having a pair ofside portions, and said pair of side portions providing a pair of spacedconcave resiliently yieldable surface means engaging each container.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 in which said oval-shapedmember has at least one end portion thereof extending outwardly beyondperipheral surface means of containers immediately adjacent thereto todefine handle means enabling said containers to be carried in suspendedrelation thereby.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said rod-like meansis initially of substantially circular cross-sectional outline prior tourging said adjacent side surface means of said containers thereagainst.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said rod-like meansis initially of substantially non-circular cross-sectional outline priorto urging said adjacent side surface means of said containersthereagainst.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said overwrap meanscomprises heat shrinkable plastic overwrap means.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said rod-like meansis formed as a tubular means, said tubular means being more easilycompressible to define said substantially concave resiliently yieldablesurface means.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said rod-like meansis formed as a solid member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,186,544 6/1965 Curry et a1.224-4525 3,371,105 7/1967 Gordon. 3,387,702 6/ 1968 Reynolds et a1.

JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 29487.2

